15 STEM Toys to Get Kids Playing and Learning at the Same Time

STEM (which stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) toys are getting more popular, and it's no wonder why — kids can play while developing skills that'll help their academics. Here are our top picks!

New from LEGO, this robot building kit includes 840 block pieces, a move hub, and a color and distance sensor. Your kiddo will be seriously entertained building up this bot, and the best part is, that's where the fun and learning begins! Once the robot is built, it can be connected to a tablet, so your kiddo can start coding and directing her new creation.

If your kid is showing interest in science, encourage learning more about the subject by bringing home this toy — trust us, your science-savvy kid will feel like she hit the jackpot. With over 70 science experiments to try out, it's a blast playing solo or encouraging a friend (or parent!) to jump in on the fun, too.

Understand that if you have a little one with a rock collection, their mind will be blown (in the best way ever!) with this geodes science kit by National Geographic. What better way to learn about rocks? Your kid can literally break them open to reveal the crystals within.

This cute toy is a perfect intro to the world of coding for kids 3 and up. (Yes, kids can start learning to code at age 3 ...) Kids can connect the different sections of Code-a-Pillar in different ways to make the toy move in various directions.

This new addition to the UK-based tech brand Technology Will Save Us is a super-fun coding kit that encourages kids to figure out how their favorite classic video games were coded. Plus, with this kit, kids can invent brand-new games!

Osmo encourages play and learning to go beyond the screen, and this starter kit includes the tools your little one will need to explore over 60 levels of creative engineering. (Wow!) The possibilities are endless with Osmo.

This tech toy is the perfect introduction to creating stop-motion films from physical to screen. The kit includes pieces to build fun characters — there's no limit to your kid's imagination! Plus, the camera and software it comes with will have your kid feeling like a legit movie producer.

Give your future engineer this toy set to teach her how to build pressure-powered engines. She'll learn a ton about physics, and she might even feel more confident in the classroom after playing with this toy, too!

This bamboo stacking set looks like it's about to topple over! It takes a bit of concentration and patience to build up the tipsy towers. The nontoxic building set is perfect for little ones, and it can also create other formations, like bridges.

The Anki Cozmo is a cute little robot (ready to be coded!) with a ton of personality. Powered by a sophisticated artificial intelligence, Cozmo is kid-friendly, self-aware, capable of recognizing its owner and expressing feelings, and always ready to play games. It's so fun!

Your mini mathematician will have a ball with Sum Swamp, the educational math game that's scored hundreds of raving reviews on Amazon. The game is ideal for ages 5 and up! Use addition and subtraction to move along the board game.

Bring home this kid-friendly microscope that features extra-large eye pieces for easy inspecting. The coolest part? Nature walks will be even more educational. Your kiddo will have a blast getting a closer look at leaves, flowers, shells, and blades of grass under the magnifier.

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